2019 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 62 - South Carolina Probate Code
Article 5 - Protection Of Persons Under Disability And Their Property
Section 62-5-403A. Service of summons and petition.

(A) As soon as reasonably possible after the filing of the summons and petition, the petitioner shall serve:

(1) a copy of the summons, petition, and a notice of right to counsel upon the alleged incapacitated individual;

(2) a copy of the summons and petition upon all corespondents and the petitioner in any pending conservatorship or protective proceeding; and

(3) any affidavits or physicians' reports filed with the petition.

(B) If service is not accomplished within one hundred twenty days after the filing of the action, the court may dismiss the action without prejudice.

(C) The notice of right to counsel shall advise the alleged incapacitated individual of the right to counsel of his choice and shall state that if the court has not received a notice of appearance by counsel selected by the alleged incapacitated individual within fifteen days from the filing of the proof of service, the court will appoint counsel. In appointing counsel, the court may consider the expressed preferences of the alleged incapacitated individual.

(D) The date for the alleged incapacitated individual to file a responsive pleading shall run from the later of the date the court appoints counsel for the alleged incapacitated individual or from the date the court receives notice of appearance by counsel selected by the alleged incapacitated individual.

HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 539, Section 1; 1997 Act No. 152, Section 23; 2010 Act No. 244, Section 32, eff June 7, 2010; 2016 Act No. 278 (S.777), Section 4, eff June 9, 2016. Formerly Code 1976 Section 62-5-405, renumbered and amended by 2017 Act No. 87 (S.415), Section 5.A, eff January 1, 2019.